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We had no real plans, no idea where we would sleep, no GPS (actually used a real map) and hardly any idea of what to expect on our 8-day journey around Iceland’s Ring Road.  It’s an interesting approach to travel but it forces you to embrace the entire experience in a way that is raw and unscripted. I tend to think you learn more about yourself in those kinds of situations. Long story short we forged rivers, herded sheep, took pictures of epic landscapes, ate potato chips for dinner and slept in our car on occasion. Friends, I kid you not when I say this; Iceland is one of the most beautiful places on earth!

In many ways this trip marked a significant milestone in my life considering that just over a year ago I left everything I had ever known to pursue an entirely new career. A near death experience and the plague of complacency were two of the major reasons that I turned my back on corporate America for the unfamiliar and  uncertain world of photography. Since then I have had amazing opportunities to see and do things that before I could have only dreamed about.  At it’s core, life is a finite experience comprised of moments and opportunities which you choose to either embrace or ignore. For what it’s worth, seek out those opportunities in your own life, take risk that ultimately push you towards your potential.  It has been my experience that when you do there is always a moment, memory, picture or person waiting for you that equates to another piece in life’s puzzle. Here is a quote from Chris McCandless who you may know from the book/movie, Into The Wild. Consider it food for thought.

“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” Chris McCandless

Click here to see the rest of my Iceland images.

The sweltering summer heat couldn’t phase this beautiful wedding set on the grounds of the Sutherland Estate in Wake Forest, NC. Ashley and Ethan are one of those couple who are head over heels in love with each other and it was obvious as their friends and family celebrated their wedding day. Thank you guys again for letting me capture and share this special day with you.

Ed and Kate are two of my favorite people which made it even more of a privilege to spend a summer day capturing their beautiful wedding. I want to wish both of you many years of blessings as you start your life and family together. Here are just a few of the images from that day that I hope you enjoy.

What an amazing use of technology to spread awareness about cancer. It’s typical in professional cycling to see various messages painted on the road during the event but this takes it to a whole new level. During the 2009 Tour de France the Nike Chalkbot will chalk up to 100,000 messages on the roads throughout France. Sign up at wearyellow.com and submit your message and wait for it to be painted. At that point it take a picture record the location and notify you that it’s been done.  Watch the first video to get a better idea of what chalkbot is and then watch the second video to see how it works.